Thank You For Being an Ally

From a film screening and Q&A with a filmmaker to a potluck to panels and even a prom, Pace’s LGBTQA and Social Justice Center presents its first ever Ally Week on April 9-13.

Do you want to be an ally to your LGBTQ friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors? Then check out some of the LGBTQA and Social Justice Center and Allied Organizations’ Ally Week programs.

On Tuesday, April 10, join the Pace Community and the LGBTQA Center for a multicultural potluck from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room. Share food (homemade or store bought!) and stories of identity while discussing the many intersecting issues impacting all of our communities. Make posters to demonstrate allyship across genders, sexualities, races, ethnicities, and all of our social identities.

Want to learn how to be an ally to the LGBTQ community? Stop by the Ask an Ally Panel on Wednesday, April 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Room W612 to hear from a panel of allies about some of the barriers involved in being an ally, as well as some of the ways allies have overcome those barriers. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and all participants will be given ally packets.

Proud to be an ally but don’t know how to show it? On Thursday, April 12, stop by the LGBTQA Center from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a discussion on coming out as an ally. Later in the afternoon, trained mental health practitioners will provide information about working with LGBTQ clients in a clinical setting. Learn about LGBTQ issues and best practices, and ask questions from 3:30 pm. to 5:30 p.m. in Lecture Hall South. Brought to you by Psi Chi, the Counseling Center, and
the LGBTQA and Social Justice Center.

Finally, that evening, Pace presents a prom for everyone! Stonewall Coalition hosts an LGBTQA Prom for couples across the rainbow, gay, lesbian, transgender, and straight. Bring a date or your friends and head on over to the Student Union from 9:00 p.m. to midnight. Dress to impress!

Ally week comes to an end on Friday, April 13, with two events. Genderqueer feminist poet and teacher TC Tolbert will lead a workshop on transgender issues from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in E332. Space is limited so registration is required. Finally, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Lecture Hall North, filmmaker Selena Blake will present her film, Taboo Yardies, which examines homophobia and LGBT individuals in Jamaica. Following the film, Selena will lead the group in a discussion to explore positive changes in Jamaica since the making of the film and the work that lies ahead.

The LGBTQA and Social Justice Center will also be tabling on April 9, 10, and 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. near the Kiosk at One Pace Plaza. Learn more about Ally Week, mane an ally pledge, take a photo with the “I am an Ally because” sign for the LGBTQA Center’s Ally Wall, and get connected to volunteer opportunities!